Planning a new build. Please critique.

[GTaudiophile]

I am looking to build a decent mid-range system for around $1K. I don't game much anymore, but I do occasionally. It just needs to be reliable and stable. Ready for Win7. I will use it primarily for office/surfing/photoshop/photo editing/design.

Current hardware I am considering:

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R P45 ATX (no SLI/Xfire needed)
CPU: Intel C2D E8400 3.0Ghz Wolfdale
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 4850 1GB (would consider a 4770 if it had 1GB)
RAM: G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1066
HDD: Western Digital 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
DVD: LG Black Blu-Ray/HD-DVD ROM & 16x DVD+/-R SATA Burner

Sound: SB X-Fi XtremeMusic from current PC

Case: Antec Solo Black
PSU: Corsair 650W (CMPSU-650TX)
CPU Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Case Fans: 1x 120mm & 1x 92mm Scythe

Monitor: Undecided but most likely the DELL 2408 WFP

Total (excluding monitor) is around $920.00.


Any comments? Anything here that really doesn't belong?

 

[vj8usa]

Why the 1GB video card, especially if you don't game much?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: vj8usa
Why the 1GB video card, especially if you don't game much?

Well, I still do some gaming like I said...

HL2: EP3
BF 1943?
Crysis?

Just some where I think 1GB might be nice.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Can anyone comment on...

G.Skill DDR2 1066 4GB CL5 vs. Corsair DDR2 800 4GB CL4 (same price).

I have used Corsair for years and have always had good experiences with their RAM.

 

[heyheybooboo]

If you don't plan to OC higher than 3.6GHz DDR2 800 will be fine. DDR2 667 will work 1:1 if you are running stock.

Your G.Skill DDR2 1066 would work just dandy with with this combo.

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: vj8usa
Why the 1GB video card, especially if you don't game much?

Well, I still do some gaming like I said...

HL2: EP3
BF 1943?
Crysis?

Just some where I think 1GB might be nice.

How much is the 1GB 4850 you're looking at? Glancing at Newegg, the cheapest ones seem to be around $140, which isn't worth it at all. You can get a GTX260 216 for just a little bit more, which is a much better value.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=40&threadid=2300919

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

do you plan on overclocking? and why not a C2Q?

 

[brianlee2007]

Photo editing/Design = Adobe CSx? if so CS4 is optimized for multicore meaning you can actually take advantage of it w/ something like a C2Q. a Q9550 is about $100 more which would only bring you $20 over budget, but you would be much better off w/ a Quad than a Duo on this budget. Future games will be optimized too so and Q9550 does have more cache than E8400 ( I have both and loved them ) but my 'Design' desktop houses the Q9550 and is O.C. to 3.8ghz (2.8 stock) EP45 UD3R is a good choice but UD3P is better rather or not you need CFX, dont limit yourself on the most important part of your build. My setup is very similar to yours (i also have the 4850 1gb) been loving it. UD3R is a good choice for mobo, your main thing is choosing between C2D and C2Q

gl

b

 

[GTaudiophile]

I currently have CS2...would like to get CS4 of course...but it costs more than this build+monitor. Perhaps someday.

I don't mind switching to the UD3P motherboard...I will have to think about the added usefulness of the C2Q for an extra $100.

 

[elconejito]

Are you planning on overclocking at all?

If not, CS2 will run better on that e8400 than a similarly priced Q8200 (or Q9400). If you're planning on jumping to CS4 anytime soon, then the Q8200/Q9400 (or forget the budget and go Q9550/Q9650) makes more sense since CS4 is more multi-threaded. In PS benchmarks they all perform very similarly.

If you are overclocking (and really on that board it'd be a shame not to) then the Q8200 looks much more appealing. You can probably get it up to around 3GHz which will do great in CS2 AND in CS4 should you ever decide to upgrade.

You live in DC? There's a Microcenter in Fairfax and one in Rockville. Right now the Q8200 is $120, e8400 is $150 and Q9400 is $160.

My $0.02...

 

[GTaudiophile]

Nah, I don't tend to OC.